Method of contraception with a soluble non-toxic copper or zinc compound

ABSTRACT

A METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION COMPRISING PLACING A COMPOUND OF COPPER OR ZINC IN THE UTERUS, FOR EXAMPLE BY INSTILLATION OF SOLUTIONS OR SUSPENSIONS THEREOF OR IN A CARRIER EFFECTIVE TO RETAIN SAID COMPOUND IN THE UTERUS FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME.

"UnitedStates Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method, of contraception comprising placing a compound of copper or zinc in the uterus, for example by instillation of solutions or suspensions thereof or in a carrier effective to retain said compound-in the uterus for a prolongedperiod of time.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 760,688 filed Sept. 18, 1968 for Intrauterine Contraceptive Method, now US. Pat. 3,563,235.

The present invention relates to a method for contraception; and relates in particular to a contraceptive method employing compounds of copperand zinc present in the uterus. v 7

During the past several years, .research in new contraceptive methods has been directed toward finding agents which will prevent fertility by a local action, rather than by the systemic action of agents taken orally or injected into the body. The advantage of locally actingagents, such asdevices placed into the uterus, is that they produce no side effects, or few side effects, and do .not interfere with the endocrine functions of the body as may happen-with systemically acting agents like the steroid' hormones (i.e.

birth control pills).

In view of the disadvantages of conventional hormonal Patented Apr. 9, 1974 r. ti

compounds can be used to prevent pregnancy in pets, such as dogs or cats, or in useful farm animals such as cattle and sheep. The present invention is of particular interest with. reference to animals such as the cow or sheep, in which species the insertion of any device into the uterusis difiicult because of the anatomical structure of the cervix, Yet it is of great importance to prevent pregnancy in such animals, especially when large herds were already available and were being manufactured commercially, are not as effective as conventional oral administration of hormones. Considerable effort has since been directed toward improving the efficacy of intrauterine contraceptive devices.

The aforementioned patent application reports the dis covery that the presence of elemental copperor zincin the uterine cavity is highly effective in preventing conception. Thus, for example, a highly etfective contraceptive method involves implanting elemental -copper or zinc within the uterine cavity on a'carrier. 'Ihe'carrier are kept for fattening. Since pregnant animals may not be slaughtered, all pregnant animals from such herds have first to be treated to cause abortion. In addition to the costs thus incurred, the market value of such animals is usually lower.

To provide an antifertility effect one or more copper or.ziuc. compounds are. deposited into the, uterine cavity either as solids or in a suspension or solution, for example by'instillation. Generally solid or suspended material is used if a longer acting preparation is desired. A mechanical carrier may be used to prevent expulsion of the material from the uterine cavity where appropriate, or the. solids or suspension may be introduced directly into the uterus, as in cattle or sheep. For example, such a carrier may consist of a perforated tube of a suitable length and diameter provided with small hooks or springs to hold the tube inside the uterus. The tube may also have various shapes resembling the commonly used intrauterine. devices. Stainless steel, gold and other noble metals, inert polymeric materials (polyethylene, polypropylene,dimethylpolysiloxane, and the like), porous silicates, cellulose, or other inert materials may be used as materials for making such carriers. If desired, the solid material may: be incorporated into the carrier, e.g. into a polymeric material and the resultant mixture formed into the desired shape.

"Alternatively, solutions of copper or zinc compounds may be introduced into the uterus. Again, if desired, concentrated solutions of such salts may be enclosed in hollow carriers of various shapes to allow the active principle to diffuse .slowly into the uterine cavity. Such hollow carriers can be made from inert porous materials having pores of sufficient size to allow dilfusion. Various polymeric materials such as acetyl-cellulose, other hydrophilic polymers, porous silicates, and the'like can be used to fabricate the carriers. Alternatively, the coper or zinc compounds may be adsorbed onto or bound to organic carr'iers such-as gelatin, collagen and the like.

-Any physiologically acceptable liquid may be used as a solvent or suspending agent, including water, saline solution, alcohol, ethylene glycol, and the like, or mixtur'es thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, copper or zinc compounds useful in preventing fertility include the non-toxic soluble and slightly soluble salts of inorganic and-organic acids, such as copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, zinc permanganate, copper acetate, copper gluonate, zinc oleate, or the like. Also suitable are the oxides (including the peroxides) as, for example, copper oxide, zinc oxide, or zinc peroxide.

In general, the amount of copper or zinc compound inserted into the uterus is such as will provide from about 0.002 mg. to 2 mg. of soluble copper or zinc per day, preferably between about 0.01 to 0.1 mg. daily. This can be achieved by controlling the crystal size of solids or the concentration of soluble or slightly soluble, compounds in suspensions or solutions thereof.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by referring to the following specific example given by way of illustration.

EXAMPLE 1 The contraceptive properties of copper were determined in experimental animals in the following manner:

Adult female rats (4 per group) were selected in proestrus and caged with proven male breeder rats overnight. The presence of sperm in the vaginal lavage was considered evidence of pregnancy (day I). On day 3 of pregnancy, the test substance was injected directly into the lumen of the left uterine horn; the right uterine horn was injected with an equal volume of 0.85% saline solution as a control. The volume of injected solution was 0.1 ml. per horn. The rats were sacrificed and the numbers of implantations of fertilized ova noted on day 10 of pregnancy.

The results are given below:

Thus, an instillation of even 0.1 ml. of 1% copper sulfate solution was sufiicient to prevent pregnancy. Alternatively, solutions of other copper salts, such as the acetate, can be employed.

When injected subcutaneously, dilute aqueous solutions of copper sulfate have no observable effect on the number of implantations of fertilized ova in mated female rats.

' EXAMPLE 2 The above experiment was repeated except that copper oxide (CuO) suspended in 0.1 ml. of 0.85% saline) solution was injected into the uterine lumen at a, point about 2-4 mm. below the tubo-utero junction. 'Autopsywas on day 8 of pregnancy. Results:

Average No. ol

implants Right Left CuO, 44g. (CuO) (control) Thus, the presence of copper oxide in the right uterine horn significantly decreased fertility in rats, as is apparent from the decreased number of viable implants of fertilized ova.

EXAMPLE 3 Thirteen female rats were mated. After the appearance of sperm (day l), 0.1 ml. of a 10- M CuSO solution was instilled into the right uterine horn of each animal at different times after pregnancy. The lefthorn was left untreated as a control. The number of implantations of fertilized ova in each horn was determined, as shown below: a

Days betweeninstillation and sperm appearance Implantatious 1.3 (0L3 abortion)" EXAMPLE 4 Ten female rats, were mated. 0n the third day post coitus, 0.1 ml. of a 10- M copper. acetate solutionwas instilled into the right uterine horn of each animal. 0.1 ml. of a 10" M solution of sodium acetate was instilled into the left uterine horn of each animal as a control, The number 'of implantations of fertilized ova in each horn was determined, as shown below; 1

What is claimed is:

1. A method of contraception which comprises placing a contraceptively effective amount of a soluble nontoxic copper or zinc compound into the uterus of a female animal prior to implantation of a fertilized ovum.

2. A method of contraception which comprises placing a contraceptively effective amount of a soluble copper oxide or a soluble nontoxic copper salt into the uterus of a female animal prior to implantation of a fertilized ovum.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein said oxide'or salt is present-in a carrier effective-to retain it in the uterine cavity over a prolonged period of time."

4. A method as in claim 2 wherein said oxide or'salt is instilled into the uterus in solution or suspension in 'a physiologically compatible liquid.

5. A method as in claim 2 wherein said oxide or salt is present in the uterus in an amount providing'from about 2 ig. to about 2 mg. of soluble copper per day.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS v 3,184,376 5/1965 Degoli 424l40 X ALBERT T. MEYERS, Primary Examiner V. C. CLARKE, Assistant Examiner rn (control) 

